Tag Archives: Bird Behavior

King of the Hill: Roseate Spoonbill

July 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The Roseate Spoonbill from my previous post hopped up on a small snag as the Tricolored Heron moved on. Being king of the hill or the first to occupy any object sticking out of the water seems to be a common Spoonbill behavior.

It was something of a balancing act as the upturned roots didn’t provide a perch that looked suitable for those feet.

He soon thought better of the idea and jumped down…

…making an easy water landing.

Black Point Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022

Wading Birds

Follow The Leader: Roseate Spoonbill and Tricolored Heron

July 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Note: this post was supposed to get published this morning before “King of the Hill” and for some unknown reason is marked “Missed Schedule.” Not sure what is up with that, but here it is … I hope.

Wading birds often take advantage of another bird of their own or a different species leading the way as they feed.

Roseate Spoonbill Following Tricolored Heron

It can work both ways.

The Spoonbill will benefit from the edible morsels that get stirred up by the Heron’s passing by as he sifts the water.

The Heron is looking for larger prey, which also can reveal their position as the birds wade around.

These two birds stuck together for several minutes until the Spoonbill got distracted by another activity, seen in my next post.

Black Point Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022

Water Birds

Common Gallinule Pair Having a Spat

May 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Two Common Gallinules were making a splash.

A little dispute ensued…

A point was made…

Face off!

Ok, it’s all over, nothing more to see…

Or not!

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022

Wading Birds

Reddish Egret Session Photobombed

May 7, 2022 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

There is no etiquette amongst the wading birds.

Birds just drop in on each other, no announcement necessary.

You were busy fishing, I’ll share your spot.

Reddish Egret, Glossy Ibis dropping in, Tricolored Heron flying by

Maybe just hop a bit further on.

I don’t know if they actually touched, but it sure was close.

The Reddish Egret never kept to his path and the Ibis did keep moving. Once the Ibis touched down he didn’t look as big as with his wings out.

According to Cornell’s All About Birds, the Glossy Ibis at 19-26 inches(48-66 cm) in length is slightly smaller than the Reddish Egret at 28-31 inches (70-80 cm).

Black Point Wildlife Drive
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022

Wading Birds

Meanwhile, Level 2 of the Skinny Tree

March 22, 2022 Ellen Jennings 10 Comments

Or, The Challenge

I know you are down there!

And I want you to leave!

Not going!

Says who?

Oh, I think you are!

The Great Blue Heron won this round when the Great Egret took off but it was less then ten minutes and he came back.

The Skinny Tree, Great Blue Heron in top nest, Great Egret working nest below — The Skinny Tree, Great Blue Heron in top nest, Great Egret hasn’t made much progress on his nest down below

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 15, 2022

Wading Birds

Great Egrets, Breeding Plumage

March 7, 2022 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Great Egrets are starting to gather and show off some breeding behavior.

For reasons unknown they have chosen the denser, more distant trees at our local rookery over the closer and easier photographed options of previous years.

Still plenty of time to show off and room for more.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 2, 2022

Nature

Great Egret Goal Posts

February 24, 2022 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

It was a nail-biter.

American White Pelican Landing Between Two Great Egrets

For me.

Surely the White Pelican would swoosh between the Great Egrets…

But no, he ran out of oomph and veered left.

There was to be no touch down score for this American White Pelican

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 23, 2022

Wading Birds

Great Egret Low In Water

January 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

I’ve seen wading birds sit low in the water like this then take a rousing splash bath. So I waited.

And waited.

This time it was just a soaker.

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Fight

November 28, 2021 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

Usually I say that birds are squabbling, or maybe getting feisty. These two were fighting with intent to do damage.

Ted and I had just gotten out of the car so missed whatever might have precipitated this set-to.

But they sure meant business and there was a lot of noise.

Until it was over.

They both walked away, apparently unscathed.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 27, 2021

Water Birds

Anhinga Swimming Freestyle

September 10, 2021 Ellen Jennings 9 Comments

I thought I might see this Anhinga dive and catch a fish. Instead she swam passed me, rhythmically arching her neck back and forth as she propelled forward.

And she dropped lower in the water.

I wondered

how low

would she go? And why didn’t she dive?

She was making steady progress and after a few more beats rose back up a bit and swam out of my sight scoring points for style but not getting any breakfast.

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
Rice field canal
August 29, 2021